Contract Agreements

[shandy]

Appreciate a little advice if possible,

I signed a contract with my current employer in January for 12 months, we had a discussion last month whereby they made me an increased financial offer to what had been agreed in January.

At no point during the discussions or subsequently did they mention that this would mean the contract being extended by a further 6 months or that the terms etc agreed in the first contract were to be changed and now to include prevention of working for competitior clauses etc.

My basic question is - Can they completely change the terms of a contract of employment when a contract is already agreed and in place if the only change is the salary figure - ie no change of job title/job description?

My new contract was given to me yesterday after receiving my first pay cheque at the increased amount.

Any help / advice would be much appreciated.

[ksl]

Appreciate a little advice if possible,

I signed a contract with my current employer in January for 12 months, we had a discussion last month whereby they made me an increased financial offer to what had been agreed in January.

At no point during the discussions or subsequently did they mention that this would mean the contract being extended by a further 6 months or that the terms etc agreed in the first contract were to be changed and now to include prevention of working for competitior clauses etc.

My basic question is - Can they completely change the terms of a contract of employment when a contract is already agreed and in place if the only change is the salary figure - ie no change of job title/job description?

My new contract was given to me yesterday after receiving my first pay cheque at the increased amount.

Any help / advice would be much appreciated.

I take it, when the contract was signed it was specifically noted that your pay would increase on such and such a date, with no other obligations of contract, otherwise, these obligations would be noted.

If the pay rise was discussed verbally, and they have just given you a pay rise adding additional clauses to a new contract, then this maybe more, difficult to prove, however you may lose the increase of pay, which is probably not worth the trouble anyway.

I would say that, if you have not signed a renewed contract, you do not have to. The old one is valid, until the date expires. I believe common sense would prevail, in any court of law, and the employer would no doubt be aware of this. They may however have you in their sights for dismissal, due to none cooperation

No employer can add additional clauses when it suits them.

I would make sure, that you are able to record any conversations, to protect yourself, in case of dismissal.

Or you could discuss a pay rise, in which you may consider their additional closes, be frank with them and get it sorted out, because it will not be an easy work environment for you, until it is sorted.

Most employers will try to protect their businesses against poaching of staff by headhunters, although if they are not significantly investing in your future, it would be wrong of them, to do this, and this you may wish to point out.

They are probably worried to lose clients, so maybe you could agree not to take any clients with you because of the conflict of interest when you leave, this may ease the pain a little. But it happens a lot in Singapore! So get accustomed to the clause!